EIGHT NIGHTS, SCHMEIGHT NIGHTS!

Break out the Manischewitz! Old Jews Telling Jokes: Hanukkah Edition is Coming for the Holidays!

Old Jews Telling Jokes, by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent, which recently graced the stage at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in October, is back by popular demand! Old Jews Telling Jokes: Hanukkah Edition! is coming to Hunter for a holiday revival this December. It’s bound to be a happy, merry, and non-denominationally good time! Come for the room full of laughter and music, and stay to kill a few hours without having to talk to your in-laws.

Old Jews… is an oddly moving and brilliantly witty anthology of some of the best jokes and tales collected from the East Coast’s oldest and grumpiest Jews. What began in 2009 as a website documenting the stories of native New Jerseyans and New Yorkers over 65, quickly grew into, for a time, one of YouTube’s biggest channels.

Now add some pumpkin spice, a few candles, and some freshly collected holiday humor, and what do you get? Old Jews… Hanukkah Edition, that’s what! This retelling of the recently popular phenomenon promises to bring back all the dry, sardonic comedy it became known for, plus a whole slew of refurbished holiday jokes and music.

Jake Shipley, Assistant Creative Director at the Maude Adams Theater Hub, will be returning as director of the project, much to the chagrin of the community. “He’s hiding somewhere in the theater and he won’t leave,” said one concerned local. Shipley is a comic and actor who has stolen the hearts, and wallets, of local audiences. In earnest, Shipley is very proud to present and share with you round two of these wonderful and classic jokes.

“This community has such a wealth of talent and love, the performers here never fail to entertain and enrapture. It’s the perfect way to end the year. I can’t believe I get to be so lucky as to share it with audiences, twice,” says Shipley.

Reprising their roles as well are cast members like the beloved Gary Falk, Deacon Michael McDonald, and the charming Ginger McMahon. Additionally, Lisa Harrow, another local performer, will be joining the cast in spreading holiday cheer and subtle judgment of your choice in clothing. This performance is sponsored by the Maude Adams Theater Hub and produced by Amy Scheibe.

Alongside the two acts of one liners and sprawling setups will be a table of free food and beverage. Wine, latkes, and leftover Christmas cookies are some of the nosh to look forward to. Additionally, there will be a talkback after the show to speak with the cast and share some of your favorite jokes.

Whatever your faith, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this December at Old Jews Telling Jokes: Hanukkah Edition! The show runs for two nights on Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28. Join us at the Doctorow Center for the Arts, located at 7971 Main Street in Hunter, New York. Tickets are $25 adults/$20 seniors, and are available at catskillmtn.org or by calling 518 263 2063.